Innovations in Haemostatic Dressings through the Years

It is a fact that despite the numerous advances in the field of medicine and emergency care, research shows that haemorrhagic shock is still the second largest cause for death in cases of civilian trauma, internationally. It is also the main cause of death on the battlefield worldwide. Over the years of medical technology development, haemostatic dressings have been employed in emergency care and pre-hospital treatment to stop severe bleeding. Here is a look at how haemostatic agents have evolved, and their current relevance in reducing mortality rates.

Kinds of Haemostatic Agents/Dressings
One category of haemostats are factor concentrators, which basically absorb water from blood rapidly, creating a concentration of cellular and protein components thus encouraging the formation of clots. In an emergency situation, where time is of essence, these can prove to be life and limb-savers. Zeolite granular is one example of a factor concentrator which is basically an inert volcanic mineral. When introduced into a wound, the mineral absorbs water in the blood through an exothermic reaction, and holds it within its zeolite pores. These pores contain cofactors that assist the coagulation process and encourage clot formation.

Another category of haemostats are the mucoadhesive agents. These are haemostats that work on physically sealing bleeding wounds by creating a strong connection to tissues and this arrests blood flow. Products of this category make use of Chitosan, a naturally obtained, bio-compatible polysaccharide that is got from shellfish. When in touch with blood and the anionic erythrocytes in it, Chitosan works on cross-linking with them, thus closing the wound.

Another variation that makes use of Chitosan in a powder form. Now available are fibrous bandages coated with Chitosan powder. The primary benefit of Chitosan is that it is broken down by natural enzymes and does not remain in the body when the bandage is removed.

Dressings of this nature best work on wounds that are flat. In fact, the popularity and efficacy of these products saw them coming out of the predominantly military space and being used in civilian situations as well. With a choice of options between granular and impregnated gauze, with direct pressure, these bandages can stop heavy bleeding in 3 minutes.

A third category of haemostats are the procoagulant supplimentors. These are coagulation enhancers that are delivered directly to a bleeding wound and provide clotting factorsthat encourage clotting and the closure of a bleeding wound.

An example of such an agent would be the dry fibrin sealant dressing (DFSD) that includes some highly purified human based coagulation factors. Research on its use does show it as being quite effective as well.

Sizes of Dressings and Their Efficacy
Some smart -sized products are shaped like tea bag sachets, which may be applied directly to the wound and even packed in with adequate pressure if needed. Once a patient is transferred to the operation theatre as the next course of action, these sachets may immediately be removed. These products were created to deal with larger wounds that cannot be attended to with average-sized haemostats.

Among other innovations that came about in haemostatic dressings are sizes and ease of application. It was found that bandages of different sizes were needed to suit various instances that they may be used. Bandages are now of the kind that may be instantly cut down to size.

Application on deep wounds became a problem and so you have bandages that come along with an applicator that allow you to insert them into wounds that are deeper than the length of a finger. These came to be extremely useful in gunshot and penetrative wounds.

There has been a lot of research on the efficacy of each range of products and it has been found that each of them have proven track records through all the situations they have been used in. While the biochemical mechanisms of these products do not really warrant debate, what is of most relevance is the ease of use in the field. Universally, the qualities looked for in these products is easy application and removal, a non-exothermic, strong packaging which lends itself to easy opening, portable packs and economic costs.

Haemostats are intended to be used as topical dressings for the immediate management of bleeding. Besides this, it can also be used to control severe bleeding from surgical wounds or traumatic injury. No matter where the use, temperatures of the bandage remain stable and there is yet any resultant allergy to be proven.

Keeping these in mind, AxioStat checks all the right boxes and is a worthwhile addition to any form of emergency care preparations. Its ease of use, application, efficacy and benefits are simply a matter of awareness reaching the right resources. Haemostatic agents are recommended for use, especially vascular injuries that cannot be controlled with mere manual pressure or with the use of a tourniquet. Besides being used in the military set up, it can also be used in mass casualty situations or where access to medical help may be delayed.